Gary Lineker has risked the wrath of every other Premier League fanbase by claiming that he has a soft spot for Manchester United.
The Match of the Day host was speaking on episode 5 of The Rest Is Football, a new podcast he has set up alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, when he revealed the reason why he holds the Red Devils with such affection.
Lineker's final game in English football came for Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on May 2nd 1992, and to show their appreciation for an icon of the game, United arranged a special presentation for the three-time First Division top scorer.
"I got a beautiful little trophy before the game," Lineker explains. "Bryan Robson handed it to me, which was a really good touch from the club.
"And then we played the game. Admittedly, we were 3-0 down but with about 10 minutes to go, the ball came across and I headed it in past Peter Schmeichel in goal, and the whole crowd sang my name and stood up.
"Honestly, I had a tear in my eye. I've always had a little soft spot - even though I never played for the club - for Manchester United because of the appreciation of the fans that day. It was actually quite moving to get that.
The time @GaryLineker got a standing ovation in his last ever game in England at Old Trafford ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YC3B1Mkrs1
— The Rest Is Football (@RestIsFootball) August 30, 2023
Gary Lineker - A goalscoring icon
Lineker bowed out that day with 145 English top flight goals to his name, and remains the only player to have finished as the league's top scorer with three different clubs, having done so with Leicester City (1984/85), Everton (1985/86) and Spurs (1989/90).
He saw out his career playing two seasons in Japan for Nagoya Grampus Eight, and finished his club career on 283 goals in total, taking into account his seasons in the English second tier and a spell with Barcelona.
I tell the story on this week’s @RestIsFootball of my last ever game in English football when @ManUtd presented me with a lovely gift before the game at Old Trafford. I still have it on display. 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/2xlVqjHlVb
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 28, 2023
Gary Lineker could have joined Man United
It has been documented that legendary Man United boss Alex Ferguson tried to sign Lineker as the Scot was attempting to rebuild the team during his early years at Old Trafford, and would have been interesting to see if the striker's goals could have brought a league title earlier than 1992/93, when the Red Devils finally ended their wait to be crowned champions.
Lineker's declaration of love is sure to go down well among the United faithful, but won't help ease the feeling from other fans that every media figure is biased in favour of their rival club.
